This article analyzes four federal court cases dealing with the use of reductive interventions to manage the behaviors of behaviorally disordered students in public schools. Definitions and principles of corporal punishment, suspension, expulsion, and timeout are outlined; and the legal status of these punishment procedures is explained.…

This article focuses on current theories and practices in educating students with behavioral disorders, including the intrapsychic, psychoeducational, and structured/behavioral models. The history of the field is reviewed and a practical way of viewing behavior from a theoretical perspective is offered, with examples connecting theory and…

Presented is a form which uses an ecological approach to the assessment of emotionally disturbed and behavior-disordered children and their families. The form covers demographic information, family relationships, child's developmental and medical history, child's school history, service treatment history, typical day descriptions, and behavior.…

Discusses teacher education methods that assist rural preservice teachers to develop competencies relevant to behavior disorders when classroom observation is impossible. Describes the use of case studies, role playing, computer simulations, videotapes, and learning packets. Contains 18 references. (SV)

Describes Phoenix, a day treatment program that provides intensive educational, social, and mental health services to high-risk teens. The program emphasizes positive reinforcement, a mix of service providers, a delivery system based on team organization, and family intervention. (RJC)

This "White Paper" examines issues surrounding the assessment of culturally diverse learners for behavioral disorders, and argues for use of a more functional assessment approach. The paper also points out that many facets of the functional assessment perspective already exist in two recent educational movements--pre-referral…

Conversations with state department representatives in four Midwestern states produced a discussion of trends and commentary on the status of state definitions of behavioral disorders/emotional disturbance, as well as identification practices and procedures. Among concerns expressed are the need to be more systematic in gathering behavioral data.…

The five major characteristics of emotional disturbance identified in Public Law 94-142 are used as the framework for a review of research on childhood depression. Among characteristic behaviors are poor school performance, negative feelings about self that are reflected in difficulty with interpersonal relationships, and sleep disturbances. (JW)

Recent court decisions concerning discipline of handicapped students are reviewed. The courts have not interpreted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act as unduly inhibiting traditional school discretion concerning minor infractions, but the legal intricacies of determining the relationship between handicap and misconduct makes expulsion…

Mentally retarded suicide attempters/ideators (n=22) were compared to 22 nonsuicidal mentally retarded adults referred for outpatient mental health services. Few differences were found between the two groups. The typical suicide attempter was a young adult with mild to borderline mental retardation and a physical disability or chronic medical…

The Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior, an instrument used to identify persons with both mental retardation and mental health problems, was evaluated with 89 Dutch adults having mental retardation. Reliability and validity of the scale and relationships with subject characteristics were examined. (Author/DB)

A disappointment model was used to examine expressive control in four- and five-year-old children with low, moderate, or high risk for disruptive behavior. Boys' anger predicted their disruptiveness during the disappointment. Girls' minimization of negative emotion predicted attention deficit and conduct disorder symptoms. (WP)

Applies codependency group model to families of obsessive-compulsive people based on view that these families are normal, feeling people who are trying to cope with unremitting stress. Clinical vignettes illustrate how these families are similar to families of alcoholics in their management of emotions and in their dysfunctional behaviors. (JBJ)

This paper reviews science education research conducted with students having behavioral disorders. Both textbook-based approaches and activities-based approaches were found. Guidelines for teaching science to this population are provided, such as making participation in desirable activities contingent upon appropriate behavior and providing…

Interviewed parents of 20 preschool children with Autistic Disorder with the "Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Interview Edition Survey Form," upon admission to an intensive educational program. Results showed the Vineland was sensitive to changes in children's adaptive functioning. Suggests it is useful in assessing educational…